Iran crisis hardens North Korea's nuclear policy: Pyongyang also loses its last ally in the Middle East
Iran Crisis Further Hardens North - The number of North Korea's close allies on the international stage is steadily decreasing. The weakening or collapse of states with which it traditionally cooperated further deepens Pyongyang's sense of isolation. This situation is observed more clearly, especially with the recent events in the Middle East.
After the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria in December 2024, Iran remained North Korea's sole ally in the Middle East region. Both countries had cooperated for many years due to sharing similar positions against the Western world and the tensions arising from their nuclear programs.
However, with the military strikes carried out by the US and Israel against Iran, as well as the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the political dynamics in the Middle East fundamentally changed. These events led to a serious deterioration of the once strong Iran-North Korea relations.
The undermining of Tehran's internal stability and its weakening under international pressure means the loss of a reliable ally for Pyongyang in the region. This situation increases North Korea's concerns about its own security, leading it to cling more firmly to its nuclear program.
Analysts note that the cooling of relations with Tehran and Iran's weakening lead the Kim Jong Un regime to feel more isolated. This state of isolation further strengthens North Korea's perception of nuclear weapons as its sole security guarantor.
Consequently, the Iran conflict and the changes it has created in the region further harden North Korea's nuclear policy, creating new problems for the international community. Such actions by Pyongyang are likely to further increase tensions in the region.